High-Grade Silver Discovery Expands Potential at Elizabeth Hill
West Coast Silver (ASX: WCE) has announced significant silver assays from its recent reconnaissance sampling program at the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project in Western Australia, with values reaching up to 490 g/t silver in rock chip and float samples.
Multiple Silver Zones Discovered Beyond Historic Mine
The extensive sampling program, which collected 115 rock chip samples, has identified potential new source areas for silver mineralisation both north and south of the historic Elizabeth Hill high-grade silver mine.
The most significant results include:
- Sample 25EW06-062: 490 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.17% Cu
- Sample 25EW06-057: 316 g/t Ag, 0.19 g/t Au, 0.11% Cu
- Sample 25EW06-063: 276 g/t Ag, 0.13 g/t Au, 0.14% Cu
- Sample 25EW06-025: 179 g/t Ag, 0.42% Cu
- Sample 25EW06-064: 178 g/t Ag, 0.06% Cu
Importantly, these high-grade silver results were found in distinct clusters, with samples grading over 100 g/t Ag located 200-500 meters north of the mine, and an isolated sample (170 g/t Ag) approximately 200 meters to the south. Many samples also showed elevated copper (up to 0.42%) and gold (up to 0.19 g/t) values, suggesting a polymetallic system.
"We are very pleased with the results from reconnaissance sampling program at Elizabeth Hill. The high-grade silver results demonstrate the significant potential for expanding the known mineralisation footprint around the historic silver mine," commented Bruce Garlick, Executive Chairman.
Understanding Geochemical Signatures in Silver Deposits
What Are Geochemical Signatures?
Geochemical signatures are distinctive patterns of elements that occur together in mineral deposits. At Elizabeth Hill, the association of silver with copper and gold is particularly significant for investors to understand.
This elemental association often indicates a specific type of mineralising system. The consistent presence of copper alongside silver suggests a hydrothermal system potentially related to the north-south trending Munni Munni fault system mentioned in the announcement.
For investors, these multi-element signatures are valuable because they:
- Help geologists vector toward the highest-grade portions of the deposit
- Provide information about the size and continuity potential of the system
- Can indicate processing requirements for future development scenarios
Systematic Exploration Approach Underway
Following its inaugural drilling campaign, which yielded impressive results including 21 meters at 1,047 g/t Ag from 10 meters in hole 25WCDD001, West Coast Silver has implemented a systematic exploration approach:
- Immediate follow-up work: Trenching, mapping, and additional rock chip sampling has already commenced on site
- Near-term targeting: Completion of near-mine and regional targeting studies expected within 3-4 weeks
- Drill planning: Development of follow-up drill campaigns including air core, reverse circulation, and additional diamond drilling
The company has also streamlined its focus by terminating its Lithium JV agreement with Alien Metals at the Pinderi Hills Project, aligning with its strategy as a silver-focused explorer.
Elizabeth Hill: One of Australia's Premier Silver Projects
Elizabeth Hill stands as one of Australia's highest-grade silver projects with an impressive production history:
- Exceptional Grades: Produced 1.2 million ounces of silver from just 16,830 tonnes of ore at a remarkable head grade of 2,194 g/t Ag (70.5 oz/t)
- Early Closure: Previous mining ceased in 2000 due to low silver prices (US$5/oz)
- Simple Processing: Native silver was recovered via low-cost gravity separation techniques
- Untapped Potential: Deposit remains open at depth with consolidated land package offering potential for additional Elizabeth Hill-style deposits
- Tier 1 Location: Located on a mining lease in Western Australia with potential processing options at the nearby Radio Hill site
Investment Thesis: Expanding a High-Grade Silver District
West Coast Silver has positioned itself strategically by consolidating the surrounding land packages into a single contiguous 180km² package, providing significant exploration upside both near-mine and regionally.
The company's land package encompasses a substantial portion of the Munni Munni fault system, considered prospective for Elizabeth Hill-style silver deposits. This systematic approach to exploration, combined with the extremely high-grade silver resource of the known mineralisation, creates a compelling investment case.
For investors, the key value proposition lies in West Coast Silver's:
- Known High-Grade Asset: Elizabeth Hill's historical production grade of 2,194 g/t Ag places it among the highest-grade silver deposits globally
- Expanding Footprint: New silver zones identified north and south of the mine suggest district-scale potential
- Systematic Approach: Clear exploration methodology with defined next steps
- Strategic Focus: Decision to terminate lithium JV demonstrates commitment to silver-focused strategy
- Favourable Jurisdiction: Western Australia provides a stable mining environment with established infrastructure
Why Investors Should Follow West Coast Silver
West Coast Silver represents a focused play on high-grade silver exploration in a tier-one jurisdiction. The combination of historical high-grade production, recent exploration success, and a methodical approach to expanding the resource base positions the company well in the precious metals space.
With silver prices strengthening and new mineralised zones being discovered, the company offers exposure to:
- A historically proven, extremely high-grade silver system
- Exploration upside with new zones identified beyond the historic mine
- A dedicated silver-focused strategy in a stable mining jurisdiction
- Clear near-term catalysts including targeting studies and follow-up drilling
As exploration continues and the company advances its systematic approach to testing the Elizabeth Hill district, investors have multiple potential catalysts to monitor in the coming months. Furthermore, these recent developments in West Coast Silver's exploration program align with broader trends of record-breaking silver intercepts being discovered across the sector.
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